Kentish Express Ashford & District
Charity stays on track through Covid
‘We are looking forward to continuing our much-needed work... surviving the pandemic has been a challenge but we are largely through it...’ - Alastair Dutch, charity president
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, a speech and language charity has continued its work apace.
Find a Voice, based in Beaver Lane, gives tutoring and equipment to help children with severe speech and communication problems.
One of the main activities carried out by Find a Voice, which was founded in 1996, is holding one-to-one sessions with adults with learning difficulties.
The charity notes these had to be temporarily called off as many of the students were isolating and were no longer able to attend the Find a Voice centre.
However staff continued to call students regularly to ensure they were well and keep them engaged with the organisation.
As lockdown restrictions eased, most students returned to the centre and normal lessons have resumed.
Another key part of Find a Voice’s work has been lending equipment to those with speech difficulties, which has continued to be highly successful throughout the pandemic.
While there were significant difficulties, since June 30 last year the charity has loaned out 245 pieces of equipment to 29 locations across Kent and supported 81 children.
President Alastair Dutch OBE said: “Like all small charities, surviving the Covid pandemic has been a challenge for Find A Voice but happily a challenge which the charity met and has now largely come through.
“The charity is looking forward to continuing its muchneeded work in an environment more closely associated to which we all view as normal.”
Mr Dutch gave an example of the work they’ve been able to do, even during lockdown.
He recalled: “A 15-year-old severely disabled boy came to our service through his speech and language therapist.
“His therapist said that, despite her best efforts, she doubted he would ever be able to communicate at all.
“The family were isolated and under extreme pressure – worsened by the Covid lockdown and fears that any infection would kill their highly vulnerable child.
“No one other than the speech and language therapist was allowed in the home.
“The equipment which Find A Voice was able to provide enabled the boy to operate a switch for the first time ever.
“This is the greatest sense of control over his own body that he had ever been able to show.
“The speech and language therapist was absolutely thrilled as was the family.
“This is the real essence of what Find A Voice does - it brings real hands on help where it is needed.”
A recent boost for the organisation - which is a finalist for this year’s Kent Charity Awards - came in the form of a £600 donation from developer Barratt Homes.
Mr Dutch thanked the company for its generosity, noting that such donations were vital in ensuring Find a Voice’s survival.